Tom Fenton lived the dream Thursday: He wasa a member of the Phoenix Coyotes for a night, serving as backup to Jason LaBarbera as they faced the New York Rangers.

Fenton, according to NHL.com, works in the community relations department at Manhattanville College in Purchase, N.Y. The Coyotes signed him to a pro contract just hours before Thursday's game.

Reason: No. 1 goalie Ilya Bryzgalov was down with the flu, and the team couldn't get a goalie from its organization to New York in time for the game.

Fenton, 26, played four years of ice hockey at American International College in Springfield, Mass., NHL.com reports. He was 1-12-1 with a 3.60 goals-against average and .886 save percentage during his senior season of 2008-09. He is from Sarnia, Ont.

He hasn't played organized hockey since that season.

NHL.com notes a similar experience for the Washington Capitals two years ago, when the Washington Capitals had to use a producer from the team's website as backup until a replacement could be fetched from their AHL affiliate.

Fenton will spend the game in uniform, with the Coyotes hoping nothing happens to LaBarbera.